Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Eman Sorour, Staff Reporter

The Department of Education and Knowledge has obligated all private schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to conduct COVID-19 test for their administrative and teaching staff, as well as their workers every 14 days.

The Department also stressed the need for private schools to be flexible and continue providing distance education programmes, in light of the gradual return policy to school.

It further stressed importance of the cooperation between the educational institutions and the health authorities to put in place the best precautionary measures to provide an appropriate educational environment.

A number of administrations of private schools in Abu Dhabi affirmed that they are committing to conducting the test for their staff periodically.

They have also set timetables for re-testing them once every two weeks, to ensure that they are not infected with the virus.

Ahmed Al Bastaki, Deputy Director General of School Operations in the Emirates National Schools, said that the COVID-19 test takes place every two weeks at the school headquarters for all administrative and teaching bodies and workers in coordination with the health authorities in Abu Dhabi.

"While private schools with a few numbers, they are tested in centres specified by the Department of Education and Knowledge in coordination with the concerned authorities," he added.